Classes & Workshops

Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Matthew Razak at 703-917-6457. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.

The Society Youth Orchestra (SYO) offers music instruction in orchestra for low-income children and youth, ages 4-17. Classes, instruments and other materials are provided to the student at no charge. The only requirement is a genuine interest on the part of the child and permission from the parent or guardian. Call 703-728-2589 or e-mail info@ymppa.org or visit www.ymppa.org.

What a Paint Job. Explore painting by using premolded cars and crazy painting theme. After painting a car, add wheels and away you go. Class will be held Thursday, Feb. 8, from 4:30-5:30 p.m., at the Sterling Annex Community Center 22084 Shaw Road. The cost is $9 and preregistration required for 4- to 10-year-olds. Call 703-430-6673.

Adventures with the Story Lady at Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. For ages 3.5-5. Storytelling brought to life through improvisation and student participation. Fridays, Feb. 9 and 16, 3:15-4:15 p.m., $24. To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or at dcc@loudoun.gov.

The Loudoun Academy of the Arts will hold a series of weekend art and photo workshops during the winter months:

* Painting Big! with Rick Steinberger. Four three-hour classes that can be arranged within your schedule. Cost $250, includes all materials.

The Loudoun Academy of the Arts, a nonprofit 501c3 organization, is located at 222 South King St. in Leesburg. Visit www.loudounacademy.org or call 703-777-8043.

Children Explore the World with Yoga, Ashburn Library, Monday, Feb. 12, 10:15 a.m. Children will learn basic yoga poses and songs that will enhance flexibility, balance, coordination, self esteem and enlightenment to the world around them. Recommended for ages 4-6. Advance registration required, call 703-737-8105.

"Keep it Moving!" a humorous workshop to help people keep that New Year's resolution to declutter and simplify their life, will be held at the Leesburg Senior Activity Center, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m. The workshop will be presented by Kim McComas of Stress Free Moves LLC, in Ashburn and is open to the public. The Senior Activity Center at Leesburg is located at 215 Depot Court, S.E., Leesburg. Call 703-729-0040 or visit www.stressfreemoves.net.

Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, will offer two valentine classes for children. Valentine's Day Fun, for ages 5-10, will be held Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 4-5 p.m. The cost is $7, plus $3 supply fee. Includes Valentines games and making cards. Valentine Princess Cakes is offered for children 4-10, Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 4-5 p.m. The cost is $7, plus $4 supply fee. Ice and decorate a doll cake to take home and enjoy. Preregistration is required. Call 703-430-6673.

Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering computer classes for adults. All classes are on Thursday nights, from 7-8:30 p.m. Computers are provided. Classes are tailored for the novice. Preregistration is required, call 703-430-6673. Microsoft Excel will be offered Feb. 15-22, cost is $59 plus $10 materials fee. Microsoft Powerpoint will be held March 1-8, cost is $59 plus $10. materials fee.

Baby Signs Play Classes. Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering a new class for ages 6-24 months. Includes singing songs, learning signs and playing games. Class are Mondays, through Feb. 26, from 9:30-10:15 a.m. The cost is $55 with preregistration required. Parents also pay $77 for the Sign Say & Play Kit. This fee is paid to the instructor at class. Call 703-430-6673.

One of the most widely-used environmental education programs will be offered at Claude Moore Park in Sterling, Saturday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. In this hands-on Project WILD and Project WILD Aquatic workshop, educators, Scout and youth leaders will explore methods for teaching students about wildlife and environmental issues through games, art and group activities. Includes the Project WILD and Project WILD Aquatic books, which provide background information and other resources, as well as a guide to the activities, designed for kindergarten through 12th-graders. Workshop is free. Registration is required, call 703-421-3125 or e-mail dodie.lewis@loudoun.gov.

The Loudoun County Office of Emergency Management is offering the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program.

The CERT class, which will begin March 6 and run through April 21, provides students with a realistic approach to preparing for and responding to large-scale emergencies and disaster situations. Classes will be held March 6, 13, 17, 20, 27 and April 3, 10, 21; weeknight classes 7-10 p.m., Saturday class 8 a.m.-4 p.m. All classes will be conducted at the Fire and Rescue Training Academy, 16600 Courage Court, Leesburg. To register, call 703-777-0333 or e-mail Cheryl.Warren@loudoun.gov.

Learn the basics of cha-cha, a basic Latin dance born out of the Cuban mambo. Classes will be held at Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, with instructor Jason Conrad. This class will be held Mondays, through March 12, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The cost is $80 and preregistration is required. Call 703-430-6673.

Wat Yarnna Rangsee in Sterling will be offering free meditation classes every Sunday. Inquire and register at the temple at 21950 Shaw Road, Sterling, 703-406-8290/2509.

Dance 'N Play is a total body fitness class for mom with toddler, with body toning, cardio bursts and dancing to popular children's music. Classes are on-going and meet every Thursday, from 9:30-10:15 a.m., at the Douglass Community Center gymnasium, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. Cost of the class is $40 for four sessions. Contact the Douglass Community Center, 703-771-5913.

Mommy and Me classes for ages 3 months to 2 years are now forming at Congregation Sha’are Shalom. Trial classes are available. Class information is available at www.jccnv.org. Contact Laurie Albert, JCCNV community engagement director at 703-537-3064 or LaurieA@jccnv.org.

The Douglass Community Center Child Care Program is accepting registration for new children. The program operates daily, from 7 a.m.-6:15 p.m., and serves children age 3 through prekindergarten, must be potty trained. Fees are $155 per week. Contact 703-771-5610 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.

Dance 'N Play is a fitness class for mom with toddler, with body toning, cardio bursts and dancing to popular children's music. Classes are ongoing and meet every Thursday, from 9:30-10:15 a.m., at the Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. Cost of the class is $40 for four sessions. Contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or at dcc@loudoun.gov.

On every first and third Tuesday of the month at 9 a.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., offers ESL basic computer skills needed for Internet, e-mail and word processing. Recommended for adult speakers of English as a second language. Limit 10 students per session. Register by calling 703-430-9500 V/TYY.